Council Highlights - September 17, 2019

Updated from a previous version which missed a Minute with Council speaker and a mispelled name.

Citizens' Minute with Council

Residents are welcome to speak to Council about issues, events, celebrations or concerns during Minute with Council. At the beginning of each regular Council Meeting, Mayor Michaels opens the floor to the public to speak and share with Council members, administration and meeting observers.

Al Steinemann
Steinemann shared thoughts regarding the use of the excess tax collection.

Brad Bancroft
Bancroft shared thoughts regarding the use of the excess tax collection.

Alice Paquet
Paquet shared thoughts regarding the Beaver Boardwalk committee and the vision statement.

Bill Heir
Heir shared a letter on behalf of Beth Maccalum regarding the Beaver Boardwalk vision statement.

Delegations

Presentations are required to be arranged through the Executive Assistant, so that presenters can be sure time is set aside for their presentations on the Council agenda. Find out more about how to be a delegation by following this link.

1. Child and Youth Programming - Presented by Jackie Delves, Sasha Eccleston, and Linda Watson
Delves. Eccleston, and Watson presented a brief look at the child and youth programs offered by FCSS.

Learn more in the agenda package, available here.

2. Learning with GPRC Hinton - Presented by Susan Hunter
GPRC is recognized by its learning communities for leadership in educational excellence.

Learn more in the agenda package, available here.

3. Planning and Development - Presented by Peter Vana
This verbal delegation detailed how planning and development operates and the legal framework around it.

Public Hearings

In some instances, Council is required to conduct public hearings regarding land use bylaws, rezoning, etc., or on any other matter council deems appropriate.

The were no public hearings.

Action Items

1. South Area Structure Plan Lands Review - Presented by Lorraine Walker
The Town obtained ISL Engineering and Land Services Ltd. to prepare a South Area Structure Plan (ASP) for the Town of Hinton. The work completed provided the Town with a high-level background analysis of the lands (see Attachment 1 – South ASP Lands Review). The Town has two area structure plan areas approved (West Area Structure Plan and East Area Structure Plan) with a projected buildout of 7,919 units and a projected population of 20,551 where existing servicing and infrastructure are in closer proximity and can serve expected needs of the community beyond the next 30 years. It was moved Council defer completion of the South Area Structure Plan until such time as the Crown lands are released for sale and a fiscal impact assessment is completed supporting the need and financial viability for development in the plan area. This motion carried.

2. McMillan Land - Presented by Scott Kovatch
Council has established the issue of housing in Hinton, and in particular seniors’ housing as a priority in their Strategic Plan. In December 2018, Town Planning and Development and Corporate Services staff presented on the “McMillian Land Purchase and Potential Opportunities for Affordable Housing.” Council Directed Administration to move forward with the required borrowing for the land purchase following Debenture Bylaw No. 1127 once the 30-day petition period was up on December 20, 2018. It was identified that the benefits related to this purchase include:

Owning available land for housing development;
Proximity of this land to shopping, medical services, transit, Pine Valley Lodge, schools etc.;
Having available land enables Hinton to apply for future housing grants from Alberta Seniors and Housing in cooperation with the Evergreens Foundation (grants are no longer given directly to municipalities but are coordinated through housing authorities such as the Evergreens Foundation); and
The restrictive covenant in place allows for residential uses.

The Town obtained the McMillan property January 2019. February 6, 2019 a Land Purchase Disclosure for the McMillan Land was generated by planning and development staff. Exploration of the potential of this parcel of land have not yet proceeded, as a geotechnical site assessment is needed to understand the carrying capacity of the property.

It was moved that Council direct Administration to enter into an RFP process to select a consultant to complete a geotechnical site assessment on the McMillan Land. This motion carried. It was then moved that Council approve $25,000 of unused South Area Structure Plan funds to support the geotechnical site assessment on the McMillan Land. This motion also carried.

3. Budget Reallocation - LiDAR Data - Presented by Mindi Petkau
In August 2017, the Town of Hinton contracted McElhanney Consulting Services Ltd. (McElhanney) to take updated aerial orthophotos and to create contours of the Town. At the same time, LiDAR data was collected during their flights over the community. At the time, the project budget did not support the purchase of the LiDAR data, however, this data is still available from McElhanney. It was moved that Council approve the budget reallocation of $5,000 of unused funds from the South Area Structure Plan project and $5,000 of unused funds from the Information Centre Exterior Stairway Replacement project to fund the purchase of LiDAR data covering the area within the town boundary. This motion carried.

5. Beaver Boardwalk Vision Statement - Presented by Hans van Klaveren
The Beaver Boardwalk Committee (BeBo Committee) has met twice since being initiated. Under section 3.0 Deliverables of their Terms of Reference, the Committee is mandated to:

3.1.1 Formulate a vision regarding the Beaver Boardwalk (BBW) and present this vision to Council for discussion and adoption prior to the BeBo Committee’s third meeting.

At the BeBo Committee Meeting of August 29, 2019, the following Vision Statement was created for presentation to Council:

The Beaver Boardwalk is a beloved community asset that balances a fiscally responsible, safe, outdoor recreational and educational experience with minimal impact to the natural landscape.

It was moved That Council approve the Beaver boardwalk Vision Statement as:

“The Beaver Boardwalk is a beloved community asset that balances a fiscally responsible, safe, outdoor recreational and educational experience with minimal impact to the natural landscape”.

This motion carried.

6. Year to Date Financial Review and Anticipated Cost Overruns - Presented by Martin Taylor
In June the first quarter financial review was provided to Council. The 2nd quarter financial results have been attached for Council’s review. Administration has also provided updates the current status of all one-time operational projects and capital projects for review. On September 10th at a Committee Meeting of Council it was recommended that this report be brought back to Council on September 17th for decision of Council. It was moved that Council accept the YTD Financial update as information. This motion carried. It was then moved that Council table the discussion of the anticipated costs overruns to the next regular meeting of council, and that Council direct admin to bring back a report, before the end of the second quarter in 2020, with regards to franchise fees, available options and potential impacts.These motions carried.

7. Fortis Alberta Franchise Fee for 2020 - Presented by Martin Taylor
This item is before Council to review the annual franchise fee that is part of the Electric Distribution Franchise Agreement. The franchise fee (or the local access fee) is charged to FortisAlberta for being allowed to access municipal lands to construct, maintain, and operate distribution systems. The fee is recovered by FortisAlbeta as a local municipal access fee on electric billings of all customers that receive electric service in the municipal service area. On September 10th this report was brought before Council for discussion and a recommendation was made to bring to the next Regular Meeting for decision. It was moved Council direct Administration to keep the FortisAlberta distribution tariffs, except riders and rebates, rate at 12.7%. This motion carried.

8. Property Tax Assessments - Additional Property Tax Revenue - Presented by Martin Taylor
In 2018 a larger than normal reassessment occurred for the Town, which Administration did not anticipate during the preparation of the 2019 budget. Taxation revenue was estimated by taking the approved taxation increase of 4.4% and applying this to the previous years’ mill rate (0.0053553 residential mill rate * 4.4% increase). This calculation only accounted for approximately $50,000 of the inflationary increase in assessment values and this has resulted in an unexpected taxation revenue increase of approximately $510,870. Due to assessment appeals the exact amount of the surplus can not be determined at this time, however based on Council direction, additional property taxation revenue above anticipated budget was to be discussed prior to the end of September 2019. The additional revenue could be placed into a reserve account for 2019 and this amount could be brought back as a revenue contribution from reserves in 2020 which would keep the total revenue required by taxation the same thus reduce the tax rate required. It was moved that Council direct administration to place the 2019 unanticipated property taxation, due to reassessments, into the operational reserve in 2019, and bring this reserve amount forward into the 2020 Town revenues to offset the amount of taxation required. This motion carried.

9. Notice of Motion - Presented Councillor Nelson
Nelson direct Administration bring a report and recommendation to Council regarding labour negotiation. It was moved that Council direct Administration bring a report and recommendation to Council regarding labour negotiation. This motion carried.

In Camera

In-camera is a legal term meaning in private; When a Council goes in-camera, it means the Council meeting is closed to the public. In general terms, the exceptions include matters where disclosures could be harmful to personal privacy, individual or public safety, law enforcement, intergovernmental relations, or economic or other interests; reveal confidential evaluations, local public body confidence, or advice from officials; or disclose information that is subject to legal privilege.

There were in motions coming out of in camera.

Administrative Inquiries

If Councillors have queries they would like to submit to admin, this will be the time at which they do. This is in accordance with Council's procedural bylaw.

There were no inquiries.

Notice of Motion

If Councillors have motions they wish to lodge, this will be the time at which they do. This is in accordance with Council's procedural bylaw.

There were no notices.

Information Items

Councillor Trevor Haas: Councilor Haas reported attendance at a Hinton Municipal Library Board meeting at which budget was discussed. Haas also reported attending a Policing Action Committee meeting, whereat bylaw and enforcement and crime reduction methods were discussed. Haas concluded by speaking to attendance at a Golf Society Meeting whereat financials were discussed, and spoke to Councils presence at the Info and Registration fair last week.

Councillor Tyler Waugh: Councillor Waugh reported his own attendance at the Registration and Information Fair, saying it was a good way to spend a few hours engaging with the community. Waugh reported that his committees have not yet met, and concluded by speaking to the Terry Fox Run.

Councillor Ryan Maguhn: Councillor Maguhn expressed his thanks to Councillor Haas for attending the golf society meeting in his stead, and then spoke to also attending the Info and Registration Fair. Maguhn concluded by speaking to upcoming attendance at AUMA.

Councillor Jo-Ann Race: Councillor Race reported attendance at the Information and Registration Fair, as well as the recent BSN meeting at which Doug Griffiths spoke. Race concluded by speaking to an upcoming ASH meeting and AUMA.

Councillor Dewly Nelson: Councillor Nelson spoke to his attendance at the BSN Griffiths event, as well as a number of impromptu collaborative meetings set up around that event. Nelson went on to discuss attendance at a Synergy meeting in Edson, and then concluded by speaking to his Run in the Rockies MC role over the weekend.

Councillor Albert Ostashek: Councillor Ostashek spoke to his own attendance at the Information and Registration Fair, as well as the event itself, saying it is a good important event even as the years go on. Ostashek concluded by speaking to his volunteer role at the Terry Fox Run.

Mayor Marcel Michaels: Mayor Michaels reported many of his events had previously been spoken to, and then added a PAC meeting, as well as extending an invite to the Beer and Blue Jeans this week. Michaels concluded by speaking to Evergreens, saying they are expecting to receive the last of the proposals for the Hinton build soon.

CAO Martin Taylor: CAO Taylor thanked his staff for their excellent work.

Town of Hinton Newsflash

Meet with Council

Hinton and area residents are invited to visit the Parks West Mall this Saturday and Sunday, September 21 and 22, from 12 - 3 pm.

Rec Centre options will be on display and Councillors on hand to hear from you!

Have a Say in the Decisions that Change Your Community

Three distinct committees need someone like you.

Hinton Municipal Library Board
Mandate: Governance And Policy-making Board For All Operational Library Functions.
Length Of Term: 3 Years
Meetings: Once Per Month

Hinton Grant Funding Advisory Committee
Mandate: Provide Recommendations In Matters Relating To The Awarding Of Municipal Funds Under The Community Grant Program.
Length Of Term: 1 Year
Meetings: Approximately 4 Per Year

Intermunicipal Assessment Review Board
Mandate: Represent The Overall Collective Interests Of The Hinton Community.
Length Of Term: 5 Years
Meetings: Potentially 1 To 6 Meetings, Held Within The Fall.

To Apply, Contact 780-740-8059 or by email. Applications Due By Tuesday, October 11, 2019

Learn more and apply online at Hinton.ca/Committees.

Don't Play With Your Trash

Put the bins wheels to the road - or have to put your wheels to the road as you drive your refuse to the landfill.

The Town of Hinton ISB staff have noticed a significant amount of improperly placed bins on residential streets, and have begun an education campaign with Communications to help everyone understand how to place your bins.

Click here to learn more.

Council Video Recordings

As some residents may have noticed, we have recently experienced difficulties with our streaming video provider online. The service provider has changed the accepted methods of posting, which has made all older videos in the inventory non-functioning. These non-functioning videos will removed from the inventory for the time being, however, administration is investigating ways of making a larger library available for residents to access online. In the interim, a new format has been selected, and new recordings are being posted as before; however, the new format is slightly larger, and so less videos will be accessible online than in years past. Recordings of the videos are also available on DVDs at the Hinton Municipal Library, which can be checked out and viewed on either computers or DVD players, or by contacting the Town of Hinton should those DVD recordings not be available.

The Town of Hinton is on Facebook!

As over 1700 people have already figured out - The Town of Hinton now has a corporate Facebook page! This new service adds another resource to the communications toolbelt, and will house information on many different areas; some days, you’ll see information on bylaws, others recreation programs, others information about council decisions or highlights from Council meetings. We will, however, endeavour to ensure that we are sharing content relevant to the widest possible audience. Like us today by clicking here!

You can view the entire agenda package here.

The next Regular Council meeting will be held October 1, 2019, at 4pm
in the Council Chambers.